Enzo Maresca – CaughtOffside

Major Leicester player to move on after his contract expires next summer

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 11:26:59 +0000

The end of the 2023/24 season could herald a new dawn for Leicester City Football Club.

The Foxes are ripping it up in the Championship this season and sit proudly atop the division. Though it’s far too early to call them champions-elect, Enzo Maresca’s side have a swagger about them and most opponents have found them too hot to handle.

If they carry on as they’ve begun the campaign, then it’ll be a foregone conclusion that they’ll go up to the Premier League automatically as one of the top two.

One issue they could have relates to their playing staff, with a number of first-team stars coming to the end of their contracts.

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Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Dennis Praet, Jannik Vestergaard, Marc Albrighton, Alex Smithies, Yunus Akgun, Issahaku Fatawu, Cesare Casadei, Kasey McAteer, Callum Doyle and Wanya Marcal will all be out of contract at the end of the current season according to Capology.

Of those, Ndidi’s representatives already seem to be in talks with La Liga outfit, Sevilla, according to journalist Santi Aouna.

?EXCL: ??? #Championship |

? Sevilla FC are keen on signing Wilfred Ndidi next summer ?

? Talks has already started between his agent and Victor Orta, the sporting director ??

? PL is his priority but Sevilla option remains open for his future ??… pic.twitter.com/mVzLDKlClD

— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) November 21, 2023

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said the Premier League remains Ndidi’s favoured option, though Sevilla aren’t being discounted as a potential destination.

Perhaps if the Foxes do make it back to the promised land at the first time of asking, the player can fulfil all of his immediate aspirations by simply extending his current deal before it runs out.

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Leicester running serious risk of losing ever-present defender

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:19:56 +0000

At present, Leicester City are continuing to ride high at the top of the Championship, and despite losing two games on the trot, they are still the team to beat.

Enso Maresca’s side have been flying, and much of that has to do with their rock-solid defence.

Their 10 goals conceded in 16 games is by far the best in the division, so it’s a fair bet that Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard – as well as their colleagues – are feeling rightly proud of themselves.

If they’re able to continue with the excellence they’ve displayed thus far in 2023/24, there’s a strong likelihood of promotion.

Given just how well the club have been playing, it’s a wonder that Vestergaard’s contract situation is being allowed to slide.

According to Capology, his contract is up at the end of June next year, however, there doesn’t appear to have been any movement from the club regarding a renewal.

“I don’t think there were very many people who believed four months ago that I would be in the situation I am in now, so I enjoy it,” the player was quoted as saying by Tipsbladet.

“At some point, something has to happen (with his contract), but it doesn’t matter to me.”

Aside from a suspension for racking up five yellow cards, Vestergaard has been an ever-present for the club this season, and at just 31 years of age, the towering Dane would still have an awful lot to offer the Foxes from next season and beyond, whether they’re in the Championship or Premier League.

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Aston Villa line up move to sign powerhouse with 192 Premier League appearances

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:27:48 +0000

If Aston Villa can continue in the current campaign as well as they’ve begun it, Unai Emery will be lauded for the brilliant job that he will have done.

Fifth in the Premier League table at the time of writing, they are playing as well as at any time over the past few years, and are certainly a more together outfit than when Steven Gerrard took them over.

There’s little doubt that the players can now appreciate what Emery has tried to implement, and the results are being seen on the pitch week in and week out.

That doesn’t mean that the club won’t look to improve in all areas come January.

Many of the big football clubs almost always seem to do their best business whilst they’re at the top of their game, not when they’re on a downward spiral. Proactive rather than reactive for want of a better term.

To that end, TeamTalk are reporting that Villa are showing an interest in Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi.

The midfielder, who has made 192 Premier League appearances per the official Premier League website, is also being tracked by Tottenham, Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Lyon and Monaco according to the outlet.

With his contract up at the end of the season, he’s likely to come a little cheaper than normal, and at 26 years of age, he still has a number of years left in the game.

Villa might consider themselves the favourites for his signature despite the competition, given that the player wouldn’t necessarily have to uproot in order to play for them.

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Leicester keeping tabs on goal-machine as Iheanacho replacement

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 10:43:40 +0000

Despite a home defeat against Leeds United at the weekend, Enzo Maresca’s Leicester City side are still flying high at the top of the Championship table.

Though they have Ipswich Town just three points behind them, the gap between the Foxes and Daniel Farke’s Leeds in third is a cavernous 11 points.

It would take a monumental drop off in form and results for Leicester to be caught, however, with so much of the season to go, any loss of confidence could absolutely be capitalised on.

One way to keep things fresh and players on their toes is to bring in others, and that could be something that Maresca is considering for the January transfer window.

According to TeamTalk, Leicester are one of a handful of clubs – which includes Premier League outfits Burnley and Crystal Palace – to be keeping tabs on Villarreal hit-man, Ben Brereton Diaz.

It’s reported that the former Blackburn star hasn’t really settled at the Yellow Submarine since a summer switch, and the La Liga club would be willing to loan him in the new year in order that he’s able to pick up some significant game time.

With Leicester believed to want a replacement for Kelechi Iheanacho, a move for Brereton Diaz would appear to make perfect sense.

From the player’s perspective, helping to drive Leicester’s promotion charge would be an obvious attraction.

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Video: Maresca admits he is scared of three Leeds United players

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:13:32 +0000

Friday night’s top-of-the-table Championship clash between Leicester City and Leeds United offers the all whites the chance to begin to reel in the table toppers.

The Foxes have stormed the division so far winning 13 of the 14 matches, and another against their closest rivals other than Ipswich Town will really cement them as runaway leaders.

However, manager, Enzo Maresca, is taking nothing for granted and has admitted that there are three players in particular that he’s worried about.

“We know they are good in transition, but they are not only good in transition,” he said at his pre-match press conference.

“Summerville, James, Gnonto, they are very quick, we need to be careful. More than ever, we need many passes before we attack. If we attack quick, they will attack quick. We don’t want that.”

Pictures courtesy of Leicester City Football Club

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Maresca wants South American with 13 assists as next signing at Leicester

Magnus Eriksen — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 11:01:38 +0000

Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca is reportedly keen on the potential signing of Fluminense winger Jhon Arias as his next incoming at the King Power Stadium.

Reports claim the 26-year-old Colombia international is firmly on Foxes boss Maresca’s radar for January, with scouts from other big clubs also watching him recently.

West Ham United, Leeds United, Burnley, Wolves, Crystal Palace and Rangers are also said to have been keeping tabs on Arias recently, so it remains to be seen if Leicester can move into pole position.

Leeds and Leicester enquire about signing South American striker

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 13:06:24 +0000

Championship leaders Leicester City and third-placed Leeds United are both likely to be watching the weekend’s Copa Libertadores final with interest.

That’s because, according to TeamTalk, they are one of a host of clubs with a vested interest in signing one of Fluminense’s players.

As both clubs look to move back up to the Premier League at the first attempt, it’s always a good idea to strengthen in the middle of the season if possible, as much as to provide competition for places as anything else.

Studious transfer business in January could be the difference in winning a title or losing out, and whilst it’s accepted that finances do play a part of course, there’s a question mark as to how much ambition a club has if they’re prepared to sit on their laurels and hope for the best.

Daniel Farke at Leeds is hardly likely to do that, and Enzo Maresca at Leicester has also shown his ruthlessness when needed.

Whether either are able to acquire Jhon Arias in the new year is unclear at this point, with TeamTalk also noting that Rangers, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Burnley will have scouts at the final to run the rule over the Colombian.

Five goals and three assists from 24 games this season (three as sub) per WhoScored, doesn’t scream prolific, but with so many clubs following the player, there must be something they see in him which is worth investing in.

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The transfer deals Leicester City could complete during January window

Andrew Walker — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:38:25 +0000

Goalkeeper sales?

Enzo Maresca has denied Leicester City’s quality in depth, however, even the manager would probably admit he has too many goalkeepers on his hands.

Danny Ward, Alex Smithies, Mads Hermansen, Daniel Iversen and Jakub Stolarczyk make up the Foxes’ five senior shot-stoppers

Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen shared the number-one duties last season but both have been demoted to third and fourth choices following the arrival of Mads Hermansen and the rise of Jakub Stolarczyk, so it’s possible the aforementioned pair could depart the King Power once the January window opens in the New Year.

Harry to find suitors?

Harry Souttar has had more opportunities than some Leicester city players, but his game time still isn’t at the level he wants. The centre-back came close to leaving the Foxes in the final week of the summer window, and although he ended up staying, failure to get back into his manager’s first-team plans will surely see him look to move in January.

New defender incoming?

Callum Doyle’s knee injury, which is set to sideline him until at least the New Year has highlighted the Foxes’ lack of left-footed defensive options.

Although Maresca has allowed James Justin to fill in, the obvious tweak in how the team plays will be a cause for concern, prompting a possible new arrival in January.

A new midfielder top of Maresca’s list?

A back injury to midfielder Dennis Praet forced Leicester City into the summer transfer market, and although they failed to sign a suitable replacement, the team are expected to try their luck again in January.

Manchester City’s James McAtee was a top target but despite being on the verge of joining the Foxes, a late call from Premier League side Sheffield United scuppered Maresca’s plans. The manager could revisit the signing of a new midfielder in January though.

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Leicester representative present at Porto vs Portimonense game

Connor Holden — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 17:07:49 +0000

According to O Jogo, Leicester City had a representative present at the Porto vs Portimonense game on Sunday, although it is unclear who they was watching.

Despite the lack of information on who Leicester were there to be watching, Sport Witness have stated that the likes of Diogo Costa and Ze Pedro have drawn “positive notes” from the Leicester City scout, as well as the goalscorer Evanilson.

Porto (3rd in Primeira Liga) emerged victors over Portimonense (12th in Primeira Liga) with the only goal of the game being scored by Evanilson in the 9th minute. Porto managed to hold on and secure the three points, despite David Carmo receiving a red card in the 83rd minute.

Leicester currently sit top of the Championship, winning 10 of their first 11 games of the 2023/24 campaign and only losing once. They have 30 points, and are two points ahead of second place Ipswich Town who are on 28 points.

They face Swansea (A), Sunderland (H) and QPR (A) in the space of 7 days after the international break, as the fixtures start to come thick and fast between now and Christmas.

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Maresca has urged Leicester first team player to stop switching off in games

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 11:19:23 +0000

So far, so good for Enzo Maresca at Leicester City, with the Foxes sitting pretty at the top of the Championship having won nine of their 10 matches in the English second-tier so far in 2023/24.

Just like Mikel Arteta before him, Maresca left the comfort of being by Pep Guardiola’s side to branch out on his own, and similar to the Arsenal manager, success has come quickly.

However, it’s not all plain sailing for the manager and he’s particularly unhappy with one of his players it seems.

“I’ve spoken with Wout (Faes) many times,” he said in his pre-match press conference (h/t Leicestershire Live).

“For me he has the potential to be a big-team central defender. But at the same time he needs to understand that the only way is to always be on the game, to be focused, and every time to give 100 per cent.

“Because you can see there are some moments during the games where he looks a little bit like he’s not present in the game. If he can be able to be focused for 95 minutes, for sure he’s a good central defender. The difference between a top central defender and a good central defender is that they are able to be focused for 95 minutes in the game.”

Leicester have certainly set the pace so far but Maresca will be acutely aware that the Championship is one of the most unforgiving leagues.

To be able to keep up the same level of intensity and performance over 46 games is almost impossible.

Not to mention that by sitting atop the pile the Foxes are there to be toppled from their perch, and opponents will delight in being able to take them down.

The extra effort they’ll give for the scalp of the league leaders could prove too much for Leicester on future occasions and that’s why Maresca wants total focus from his staff.

Wout Faes has been warned.

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